About Sakata: Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America was established in 1977 as a research, production and sales division of Sakata Seed Corporation. Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America is headquartered in Woodland, CA. Our research facilities include stations in Salinas, California; Yuma, Arizona; Burlington, Washington; and Fort Myers, Florida. These facilities focus on vegetable breeding and trialing. Today, we continue to challenge ourselves to be the industry leader for innovation, quality, reliability and service. 

LOCATION: Salinas, CA

JOB SUMMARY: Manage the Salinas breeder support pathology program and infrastructure.  Provide support to SAH breeders by developing and implementing pathogen screening tests in the lab, greenhouse and field. Provide direction in breeder support pathology activities in the assigned crops for SAH and its subsidiaries. Assists the SAH pathologists in developing priorities and implementing projects in their respective areas. Provide Product Development and Sales with cultivar evaluation for disease reactions and provide documentation supporting the confirmation of the resistance claims.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Manage the Salinas breeder support pathology program.  Provide breeder support to Salinas, Woodland, Mexico, PNW and Florida breeding programs.
• Supervise breeder support plant pathology staff. Train technicians and visiting scientists. Provide comprehensive tours of the pathology facility to visitors.
• Develop and apply pest management strategies in pathology greenhouses.
• Maintain pathology greenhouses and growth chambers. Coordinate with Seed Health staff regarding use and sharing of facilities. 
• Organize, prepare and conduct experiments in the laboratory, the greenhouse and the field according to objectives and resources.
• Develop and implement disease resistance screening tests for Plant breeders, Product Development and Sales. 
• Work closely with SAH plant pathologists, breeders and marker scientists to help provide direction in disease resistance development and documentation.
• Participate with other SAH plant pathologists in the coordination of breeder support activities and foster communication and sharing of information with other plant pathologists and breeders at other Sakata locations.
• Lead and guide activities according to procedures to ensure quality and accuracy of data collection, management and analysis.
• Maintain reference pathogen collections, differential hosts and breeder support databases. Participate in the development and improvement of protocols.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with other plant pathologists and plant scientists outside of SAH and keep current on plant pathology related matters.
• Travel locally and internationally as necessary to attend meetings, perform duties as required for maintaining and enhancing skills.

* To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Laboratory, greenhouse and field skills in plant pathology with emphasis on applied disease resistance screening and protocol evaluation.
• Competency in data management and use of computer applications.
• Observational ability, accuracy, efficiency, and organizational skills are critical to this position.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
• Must be able to work under strict time constraints and requirements.
• Excellent oral & written communication skills.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• PhD in Plant Pathology or M.S. in Plant Pathology with professional/managerial experience desired.

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND:

• Demonstrated abilities and at least three years of experience through academic training or work in applied plant pathology, emphasizing disease resistance evaluation for cultivar improvement and disease detection and diagnosis.
• Excellent laboratory skills with the ability to conduct quality research.
• Ability to work independently yet cooperatively and to provide effective leadership and management of personnel.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, organized and detail oriented.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to work with laboratory chemicals, pesticides and other possibly irritating substances and wear personal protective equipment when necessary or required.
• Must be willing to work long and irregular hours and to stand for long periods.
• Must be able to travel to off-station locations, including international destinations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $85,000-$90,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401K)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure.
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service of FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps

APPLICATION

To apply, send resume to HR@sakata.com